RFID or Radio Frequency Identification, also called "smart labels", in it's simpliest definition, are tags or intelligent bar codes that can "talk" to a network system. It can give the relevant information or data incorporated on a particular product or object using radio waves. The difference between a bar code and RFID is its simultaneous communication and communication distance capability from the reader.

An RFID tag contains at least two parts: First, the chip or integrated circuit that stores and processes information, modulates and demodulates the radio frequency (RF) signal, and other necessary functions; Second is an antenna that receives and transmits the signal into an RFID tag reader.

At a basic level, each RFID tag works in the same way:

* Data­ stored within an RFID tag's microchip waits to be read.
* The tag's antenna receives electromagnetic energy from an RFID reader's antenna.
* Using power from its internal battery or power harvested from the reader's electromagnetic field, the tag sends radio waves back to the reader.
* ­The reader picks up the tag's radio waves and interprets the frequencies as meaningful data.

Today, in our country and in most parts of the world, RFID is a newly trending technology which gives fear to a lot of organizations and individuals. As with many technologies, people fear what they don't understand. Some of which are exaggerations, some can be considered paranoia, but some may also be justified.

The wide applications of this cutting-edge technology has been around us for some time now. Practical example of the many types of RFID in our country has already been in the private warehouses, race timing such as Marathon like the recently held Kenny's Open Urbanite 2009, e-pass in NLEX, and recently (August 2009) in our e-passports (yes, our passports are now powered with RFID technology).

People have not feared nor revolted against the implementation of this technology to these applications. But just recently, after the announcement of LTO about the RFID tagging this coming October 1, 2009, a lot of violent reactions have surfaced for the fear of the violation of people's privacy rights. I have read some forums discussing this development, and I can say, about 60% to 70% of the reactions and comments for the RFID project are negative. Other people responds positively though they still have questions regarding privacy, security against tampering and hacking, and effectiveness in achieving the project's goals.

Benefits of the LTO-RFID

“The RFID technology will revolutionize land transportation in the Philippines. This is a great first step in putting order on our streets,” - LTO Assistant Secretary Arturo Lomibao

To better understand the goal and purpose of this project, we must know what are the benefits of embedding an RFID in our vehicle. First and foremost, an IT system exists and develops for the betterment of a society. At the same time, these developments have its underlying risks and disadvantages too.

I will not discuss the details of these listed few benefits and disadvantages. The following paragraphs and statements are also according to my own understanding about the technology and not the project owner's or the LTO's point of view.

for Government Agencies (such as LTO, PNP)
* Ease and efficient registration process of vehicles.
* Real-time and accurate information about a vehicle.
* Reduction of vehicular-related crimes such as carnapping.
* Fast and easy identification of hot-listed or malicious vehicles.

for the Public and Motorists
* Security of having a vehicle identified to the rightful owner.
* Security of having the right components (Engine, Chassis) to the correct vehicle.
* Reduction of unscrupulous and colorum vehicles.

Data Embedding and Privacy
In contrast to what most people fear, only the relevant information about a vehicle is loaded into the RFID tag. We must understand that an RFID tag has a limit to it's data storage capacity. That means, not all of the information about a vehicle, or vehicle owner can be integrated into the RFID chip.

The most common information that can be loaded into the RFID are the basic or obvious information about a vehicle, but are relevant in the law enforcement and registration processes. These information are those already found in the official receipts (OR) and certificate of registration (CR), except the information about the vehicle owner's address.

As for the location privacy part, the RFID has no GPS or Global Positioning System capability. Therefore, wherever you are, and whatever you do, the RFID can not disclose those kind of information to your wife or to your mother. Just don't be foolish to violate the traffic laws or any crimes that will trigger the law enforcers to find your whereabouts.

Author's Conclusion
Most of our personal information are already everywhere. From the vastness of the information superhighway, social networking websites, to the banks, supermarkets, hotels, marketing companies, credit cards, membership cards, and etc. But none of these have threatened us YET, though the safety of our personal privacy also lies in these information containers. If there is any, then it is also our obligation and responsibility to take action against those privacy offenders.

The RFID can benefit us in a variety of ways, both the individual and organizations set to uphold the order in the streets and enforce the traffic law. Although, like any other technological advancements, we cannot expect that it is perfect. These are creations of imperfect creators - us. But like us, there is always a room for improvement.

Two big question though:1) Are there laws already for those who will purposely tamper their RFID tags to prevent them from being identified?
2) How can the government defend or protect the motoring public from the abusing authorities, specially that they will have more advanced technology in their hands?

For more reading about the RFID applications and implications for Consumers, you may download the PDF file here.

Here's another great run that will truly complete your October running calendar. Instead of racing your tummy with beer fests, why not race out your feet for this upcoming and anticipated running event of Adidas? Surely you'll be motivated having these quality and good-looking design Adidas singlets with you:

Women's singlet

Men's singlet

And what's more, Adidas will held a Road Running expo exclusive to all the participants a week before the event on October 17-18, 2009 from 10:00AM to 10:00PM at the SM Megatrade Hall. The race bibs will be distributed on this expo, and there will be a free carbo-loading event for the participants too!

I belong to the populace of "Jack of all trades, master of NONE!". Blogging has become my literary outlet of my unspoken ideas and some of my personal activities and experiences whenever I have time to blog. I am a Programmer by Profession and a human at heart!
Outdoors is my first love when I was yet a small child, bearing the heavy weight of asthma. Thus, it is also the outdoors that greatly healed my health burden. Now I am active in running, mountain climbing, biking, hiking, and some martial arts whenever time permits.

I was so happy upon hearing this news from my former Theater Director EV Espiritu who also joined the international event and bragged their puppet shadow play. I was one of his former subordinate in Tropang-Paltok back in College. I so regret though that I wasn't able to participate with them for this one-of-a kind event. Now it burns my heart to - once again, fine-tune my body and practice my Mime-acting skills, so that on the 4th Delphic games, I could join the competition and represent the artistic side of mimist from Philippines, honed in the City of Baguio.

Jeju, Korea - It is far real from that of a typical *Kiangan joke. An Ifugao woodcarver won over a dozen of international artists who joined the III Delphic Games 2009 in Jeju - Sculpture category. Ernesto Dul-ang, a semi retired artisan who has spent time working for an American Base in Baguio City and has done great works for the Baguio Mountain Provinces Museum grabbed the gold medal besting global competitors from Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, India, Germany and South Africa.

Following the overall theme “Tuning into Nature”, Former Baguio student and now a Manila based artist Leo Agtuca got the Silver medal in the Graphic Story Telling category edged by a certain Won-kyo Jueng of Korea who bagged the gold. Agtuca was pitted against artists from Norway, Mongolia and Korea among others.

With collaborations and consultations among the Filipino participants, Dul-ang carved a cedar timber and formed a human figure pouring water from an earthen jar into a base of mixed subjects while Agtuca creatively depicted a dreaming child in a bird's nest in paper then enhanced using a computer in the final work.

RP’s gold and silver medals made it to third place in overall standing during the recent Delphic games that is comprised of 460 delegates from fifty four countries with Korea bagging six gold medals, eight silvers and six bronze followed by Mongolia’s five gold medals. A Lira medal was also given to each of the nine RP participants for their creative rendition of a shadow play that was based on Filipino folklore and myths.

As the most senior among the RP contingent, Dul-ang spent every moment understanding the way of life in Korea maximizing every free time to look into the plight of Filipinos working and living in this Asian country. His first time to travel by plane and leave Philippine shores, Dul-ang found Jeju island of South Korea as a fitting destination for artists and craftsmen as noted by this writer when he interacted with many of the Delphic delegates.

Dul-ang is not well known locally but his totem pole portraying American presidents and notable personalities like Gen. Douglas McArthur gained prominence among workers of former US base Camp John Hay during the occupancy period of American Air Forces in the Philippines. Dul-ang’s work of icons and Igorot figures can also be seen at the Baguio Mountain Provinces Museum.

The RP team led by International Delphic Council President Prof. Divina Bautista are composed of; Edgardo Viray Espiritu, Claudia Wayway, Norma Lealey, Rishab Tipon, Nida Gabriel for the Shadow Play, Mila Lopez for Drawing, Ernesto Dul-ang for Sculpture, Rafael Kapuno for Mime Improvisation, Ruel Bimuyag for Percussion, Alexander Tumapang for Traditional Double Reed Woodwind Instruments and Art Tibaldo for Documentary Production. Representatives of Mayor Nestor Alvarez of the Science City of Munos also teamed up with the Baguio based artists and they also brought home a Lira medal each for their role in the Shadow Play.

The RP delegates were also joined by Delphic Philippines Secretary General Liza Ilagan, Businesswoman and Delphic Philippines Council member Narda Capuyan, DOT Director Purificacion Molintas and educator Dr. Reinaldo Bautista Sr.

For about 1,000 years from the 6th century BC to AD 394, the Delphic Games was a festival of culture and arts in ancient Greece and reborn after 1,600 years as an international festival of arts and culture with Russia hosting the 2000 games, Malaysia in 2004 and Jeju City in 2009 as a result of the IDC General Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The run was such a success despite of the heavy downpour of rains due to the tropical depression 'Nando'.

1:30 AM, I woke up unexpectedly from my deep sleep of just two hours. My son - Von Aizen woke me and my wife when he just cried out from his sleep, and suddenly stood up near the edge of the bed. It bursted my instinct to dive from my current lying position towards the other side of the bed. I was able to catch him on time and prevent his head-on landing to the floor, not knowing that I already bruised my left knee.

After the "egg-catching" with my son, I wasn't able to go back to sleep, and also due to the continued rainfalls, I worried about the event that it might not push through. I texted the organizer (special thanks to Ms. Liza Calumpong) and confirmed me that the event will push through rain or shine.

My running colleagues though weren't able to dash-out their body from their bed due to the sound sleep caused by 'Nando'. One by one they texted me that they will no longer run, either afraid of the storm, or no service going to the venue. Although I've had second thoughts too if I would still run, but the bruise on my left knee and the tropical depression still did not stop me.

(Stretching before the start of the event)

My wife - Nessa then accompanied me going to the event to carry my baggage (lol), take pictures of me, and specially to support me on my endeavor to race against 'Nando', hehehe. We arrived there 5:30 AM, just on time for the fire start of 21k (against the posted race start of 5:00 AM) with my estimated runners of more or less 100. At first glance, there are fewer racers that time, and the rain is still showering on us lightly while we're doing our personal warm-ups.

The 10k dash started at 6:01:23 AM in my watch, with an estimated participants of around 200 - 250. I positioned myself in front so as to keep track of the number of racers who will pass thru me throughout the entire 10k dash. The race fired as tropical depression 'Nando' poured out its might upon us. It made me shiver in cold and in excitement that for the first time, I am running both against time and against the rain. Although I was able to warm-up my body enough, the rain seemed to put my body back in hibernation mode. So I tried to push my legs enough to fight the cooling effect of the rain and the air as I pass through the distance.

Along my way, I knew that I will not tire much since there was no sun, and no sweating will happen. But 'Nando' have accompanied us from the very start. Thus, at about 7.5 km point, I began to feel a bit cold from my toes due to already wet shoes and full-body wetness from the rain. And 20-30 minutes after I pass the finish line at 6:58 AM, my legs stiffened by muscle cramps caused by tired leg muscles and the cold rainwater falling from my body.

It was very enjoyable though, a first time run-in-the-rain and perhaps, one of the running experiences I had that I will truly cherish.

I belong to the populace of "Jack of all trades, master of NONE!". Blogging has become my literary outlet of my unspoken ideas and some of my personal activities and experiences whenever I have time to blog. I am a Programmer by Profession and a human at heart!
Outdoors is my first love when I was yet a small child, bearing the heavy weight of asthma. Thus, it is also the outdoors that greatly healed my health burden. Now I am active in running, mountain climbing, biking, hiking, and some martial arts whenever time permits.

Our team in the office, "Strathlete Runners", is once again anticipating an exciting Marathon event organized by New Balance. This is another run-for-a-cause themed as 'Raising Hope' for the benefit of: 1) The Carewell Community, 2) Philippine Cancer Society and 3) I Can Serve - all of which are focused on helping cancer victims. For more information, visit the website of New Balance.

The White Hat also tied up with New Balance for this event to help raise funds. And aside from the singlet which you will get upon registration at New Balance, The White Hat is also giving away freebies when you register as a member of their team.

I belong to the populace of "Jack of all trades, master of NONE!". Blogging has become my literary outlet of my unspoken ideas and some of my personal activities and experiences whenever I have time to blog. I am a Programmer by Profession and a human at heart!
Outdoors is my first love when I was yet a small child, bearing the heavy weight of asthma. Thus, it is also the outdoors that greatly healed my health burden. Now I am active in running, mountain climbing, biking, hiking, and some martial arts whenever time permits.

I have kept this article in my outlook archive for more than three (3) years now. I thought that I might need this someday, and yes I do. Not for me, but for one of my relatives. Though I have not yet experienced the effectiveness of the procedure mentioned below in removing the gallstone, I believe that it is real and effective. This is due to the testimony of my previous office mate who shared his own experience with gallstone, and healing experience with this alternative and natural procedure in eliminating the gallstones. Read on for more info.

It has worked for many. If it works for you please pass on the good news. Chiu-Nan is not charging for it, so we should make it free for anyone. Your reward is when someone, through your word of mouth, benefits from the regime.

Gallstones may not be everyone’s concern. But they should be because we all have them.
Moreover, gallstones may lead to cancer.

“Cancer is never the first illness,” Chiu-Nan points out. “Usually, there are a lot of other problems leading to cancer. In my research in China, I came across some materials, which say that people with cancer usually have stones.

We all have gallstones. It’s a matter of big or small, many or few. One of the symptoms of gallstones is a feeling of bloatedness after a heavy meal. You feel like you can’t digest the food. If it gets more serious, you feel pain in the liver area.” So if you think you have gallstones, Chiu-Nan offers the following method to remove them naturally. The treatment is also good for those with weak liver, because the liver and bladder are closely linked.

Regimen:

*For the first five days, take four glasses of apple juice every day. Or eat four or five apples whichever you prefer. Apple juice softens the gallstones. During the five days, eat normally.

*On the sixth day, take no dinner. At 6pm, take a teaspoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) with a glass of warm water.

*At 10pm, take half-cup olive oil (or sesame oil) with half cup fresh lemon juice. Mix it well and drink it. The oil lubricates the stones to ease their passage.

The next morning, you will find green stones in your stools. ‘Usually they float,” Chiu-Nan notes. “You might want to count them. I have had people who pass 40, 50 or up to 100 stones. That’s a lot..!” Even if you don’t have any symptoms of gallstones, you still might have some. It’s always good to give your gallbladder a clean up now and then.

+++

You can purchase the Epsom salt at Alyson’s Chemical (located at 1425 G. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City Telephone Number 712-2266). They sell it at P16.50/kilo [price might have changed already]. Or you can also buy at Mercury Drug Quiapo near the Church which costs P40 per pack [price might have changed already].

Click here to know about my officemate's experience with this procedure.

I belong to the populace of "Jack of all trades, master of NONE!". Blogging has become my literary outlet of my unspoken ideas and some of my personal activities and experiences whenever I have time to blog. I am a Programmer by Profession and a human at heart!
Outdoors is my first love when I was yet a small child, bearing the heavy weight of asthma. Thus, it is also the outdoors that greatly healed my health burden. Now I am active in running, mountain climbing, biking, hiking, and some martial arts whenever time permits.

I woke up early this morning hearing the morning portion at Umagang Kayganda's Punto-por-Punto hosted by Anthony "Tunying" Taberna, with his interview with Ilocos Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson about his alleged violence against her Wife Rachel "Che" Tiongson.

Surprised of how Gov. Singson reacts and answers about some questions raised to him, I get to remember the videos I was watching from Youtube last night about Mikey Arroyo's interview with Winnie Monsod and GMA 7 news-journalist Arnold "Igan" Clavio, where he also reacted almost the same way as Gov. Singson.

I tried to again search the video and blog about those two mentioned hot-issues of the moment. And while trying to browse the search results, I stumbled upon this piece of composition titled "An Open Audio-Video Letter to Gloria Arroyo". At first I thought it is some kind of recorded narrated speech of some people, addressed to the President. I was surprised though upon hearing the melody, the lyrics, and the composition. For me it was great and awesome, a very constructive way in criticizing about the President's performance, broken promises, and service failure to the people.

The audio-video invites President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to walk with us, get to know better the country and the people, know the real meaning of service and hard work, know the Country's real situation and position under her administration. It expresses the author and the people's resentments about our President's way of Governance, and about what's happening in the real world - outside Malacañang - out from their comfort zones.
Thumb's up to the author -- a very nice piece indeed.
You can also find this video and listen on it from youtube by visiting electiocutioner's youtube account.

I belong to the populace of "Jack of all trades, master of NONE!". Blogging has become my literary outlet of my unspoken ideas and some of my personal activities and experiences whenever I have time to blog. I am a Programmer by Profession and a human at heart!
Outdoors is my first love when I was yet a small child, bearing the heavy weight of asthma. Thus, it is also the outdoors that greatly healed my health burden. Now I am active in running, mountain climbing, biking, hiking, and some martial arts whenever time permits.

After a few months of resting from the activities of running, me and my office mates - or my Running mates decided to join the ever-advertised Fun Run event of one of the biggest Television network - GMA 7.

I was only able to prepare two weeks ahead for this event, or total of six days with 20-30 minutes of 10 kph run practice on our office gym's treadmill. Well, there's a big difference between running outside compared on a treadmill, but in this case, I don't have time or should I say, I don't wake up early to chase the morning dew at 5am for a training.
This is the 2nd 5 km. race that I have joined, first was the 21st Milo Marathon Baguio elimination. I have aged exactly 12 years since the first time I joined the world of Marathon, which healed my asthma. But this day was different, the "kittens" inside my chest have been staying with me since last night. Although, I still opted to run because I think my asthma just miss some sweating and time chasing. And yes, it was true indeed, I just lost the "kittens" from the time that I felt my adrenaline and a few more hours after the race finished.

The run was not so difficult for me at this time compared to when I first joined the 5km. Milo marathon. I have been more active physically, and more prepared mentally. Although, I don't have enough training and running experience, I was able to pass the finish mark to a time that I have expected.

The finisher's shirt though is too big for my size. The certificate of participation doesn't have enough space where we could put our name (asa!). There's a vitwater, a bread, and a GMA 2010 elections badge included on the giveaways inside the knapsack.

This fun run is very much different from all the previous fun-run and marathons that I have joined because there are a lot of runners (around 5,000) and also a number of celebrities (actors/actresses, newscasters/journalists) and politicians who were on the event. Although I have not met Noli De Castro, whom I was expecting to have a photo taken with me (lol). The first celebrity that I saw who also run was Ricky Davao, then Lyn Ching who was just cheering the runners in one of the street corners. As for the politicians, my colleagues saw Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay. I think, both of them also ran for the 5 km. distance.

Our group were able to get our official race result for this Fun Run from GMA through Ms. Marge Cariño of GMA Network. You may e-mail her your fullname and she will delightfully reply to you your result.

I belong to the populace of "Jack of all trades, master of NONE!". Blogging has become my literary outlet of my unspoken ideas and some of my personal activities and experiences whenever I have time to blog. I am a Programmer by Profession and a human at heart!
Outdoors is my first love when I was yet a small child, bearing the heavy weight of asthma. Thus, it is also the outdoors that greatly healed my health burden. Now I am active in running, mountain climbing, biking, hiking, and some martial arts whenever time permits.